Police in Hounslow have used powers to protect a woman from being forced into marriage in a historic first for the borough.

Forced marriage protection orders were introduced in 2007 but this is the first time they have been used by police in Hounslow.

Officers applied for restrictions to be introduced after a family member raised concerns about a young woman who was believed to be at risk of being forced into marriage.

Police said the order was granted at the Royal Courts of Justice on July 18 by Mr Justice Roderick Wood, and the terms had since been agreed.

It prevents the woman's family and those associated with her family from taking any steps to force her to marry.

It also prohibits them from attempting to get a new passport for the woman, who has been placed in a refuge and is receiving support from police and other agencies.

DC Sarah Johnson, of Hounslow Police, said: "This first of obtaining a fixed marriage protection order will hopefully encourage other people to come forward if they have concerns they or someone else is at risk of forced marriage."